Philip Seeman, M.D., Ph.D.

JOINED THE SCIENTIFIC COUNCIL IN 1994

Professor of Pharmacology and Psychiatry
University of Toronto

In 1975, Dr. Seeman discovered the antipsychotic dopamine receptor, now called the dopamine D2 receptor. Later, he showed that atypical antipsychotics such as Clozaril® or Seroquel® dissociated from the D2 receptor more quickly than traditional antipsychotics such as Haldol® or Thorazine®. He discovered that the dopamine super-sensitivity is based on a marked increase in the proportion of antipsychotic D2 receptors in a state of high-affinity for dopamine (D2High receptors). This elevation occurs in all known animal models of psychosis. Antipsychotic drugs such as Haldol® can inhibit the rise in amphetamine-induced elevation of these D2High receptors. He recently showed that the new type of glutamate drug (LY404039) being tested for treating schizophrenia also has a significant affinity for the dopamine D2High receptor.

Since 1967, Dr. Seeman has been at the University of Toronto, Department of Pharmacology and served as its Chair between 1977 and 1987.

The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation is committed to alleviating the suffering caused by mental illness by awarding grants that will lead to advances and breakthroughs in scientific research. SUPPORT RESEARCH NOW